When you consider the names that were unavailable or didnít make the 15 involved in the first six games of the season there is plenty of confidence in the camp that Ireland are once again on an upward curve.

PAUL STIRLING continued a prolific scoring spree with his eleventh half-century in 17 ODI innings against Afghanistan but with little support it wasnít enough to stop Ireland stumbling to a 126-run defeat.

All you can say about this Ireland team at the moment is that they are consistently inconsistent as just two days after skittling Afghanistan inside 37 overs, the visitors became only the second team to score 300 at Stormont.

The press conference at the Institute of Sport was full of delighted players and coaches all saying how great it was that Irish women cricketers would avail of professional contracts for the first time. The sums involved are relatively modest, covering two and three days a week, but Mary Waldron saw the bigger picture.

CIYMS take a three-week break from Robinson Services Premier League action with their position at the top of the table secure after easing past Carrickfergus in one of only two top flight games to beat the weather on Saturday.

It's been meagre pickings for the NW in these competitions in recent times and you have to go back to 2004 for the last winners, Limavady, and ten years since Donemana became the last team to make the final.

Though high scoring, the tempo of this match was relaxed rather frenetic. The key was to remain disciplined and patient. That Cork Harlequins won is testimony to the unflappable temperament of their younger players and to their ability to build partnerships.

Josh Uddin, late of Halverstown, Railway Union, North Kildare, Terenure and Clondalkin, had a spectacular introduction to Munster cricket last weekend, scoring 215 for Co Kerry 2nds against Limerick 2nds at Adare. According to the most comprehensive records, his innings was the 150th double century yet recorded in Irish cricket.

Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has joined the Euro T20 Slam as an icon player while South African T-20 teamís vice-captain JP Duminy and his country mate Imran Tahir will be among the six marquee players.

MCC Ireland Region have announced a strong squad for their famous MCC Southern Ireland Schools week next week. Internationals Lorcan Tucker and Albert van der Merwe are joined by a host of Wolves and Leinster Lightning stars for a week of cricket in Munster and Leinster.